Credit Transfer/Course Exemption

Transfer of credits may be granted to students in recognition of prior studies completed at an appropriate level as recognised by the University. However, students admitted with advanced standing will not be entitled to any credit transfer on the basis of their previous qualifications attained prior to their admission to the University. Instead, students may be granted exemption from specific courses based on prior study.

For outbound exchange students, the credit units earned at the host institutions can be transferred to their academic records at the University. Credit transfer pre-approval applications should be made via the Exchange Coordinator of respective academic units prior to their departure for the exchange programmes as appropriate. When students return from the exchange studies, they should submit the official transcripts to their academic units for credit transfer arrangements.

Transfer credits will be counted toward meeting the credit units required to earn an award from the University. Students are not required to take the course(s) for which credit transfer has been granted. Since students may be pre-registered with courses at the start of a semester/term, students are required to take the initiative to drop the course(s) for which credit transfer has been approved.

Transfer credits normally do not count in the calculation of a student’s GPA, except where special arrangements have been made (e.g., in joint programmes with other institutions). In the student’s academic record, a "TR" grade denoting "Credit Transfer" will be assigned to the equivalent CityU course(s). Where an equivalent CityU course cannot be established, credit transfer may be granted towards a degree requirement. A special course code with the appropriate credit units will be entered in the student's academic record.

Transfer credits must have been earned no earlier than eight years before the date of enrolment at the University. Individual academic units may stipulate a more stringent requirement. The Academic Regulations have also stipulated the following maximum number of transfer credits that students can obtain throughout their studies (including transfer credits for study exchange or joint programmes with other institutions):

Normative 4-year Degree: 60 credit units

Advanced Standing I: 45 credit units

Advanced Standing II: 30 credit units

Degree with a normal study duration longer than 4 years: Half of the credit units required for the award of the degree

Double Degree: Half of the credit units required for the award of the double degree

Associate Degree: At least half of the credit units required for an award of the University must be earned by the successful completion of courses required by the programme concerned

Course Exemption

Students may be granted an exemption from specific courses based on prior study. Credit units are not earned for an exempted course. Students are required to take other course(s) to make up the credits required for fulfilling the degree requirements. Since students may be pre-registered with courses at the start of a semester/term, students are required to take the initiative to drop the course(s) for which course exemption has been approved.

Students who have been granted course exemptions are required to fulfil the minimum credit requirements for majors (i.e., 45 credit units) and for their respective degrees in order to graduate. For degrees with a normal study duration longer than 4 years, the minimum credit requirements for the majors after course exemption shall be stipulated by the major-offering academic unit.

In the student’s academic record, an exempted course is recorded with a "Z" grade meaning "Exemption". If the exempted course is the pre-requisite of another course at the University, students will be regarded as meeting the pre-requisite requirement with the course exemption.

Make-up Course Arrangements for Exempted Courses

Students granted with course exemption are usually required to take any other courses to make up the credits required except the following scenarios:

Exempted Course

Make-up Course Arrangement

Major requirement course

If the major requirement is less than 45 credit units# after the exemption, take any other major-related course specified by the major-offering academic unit#For degrees with a normal study duration longer than 4 years, the minimum credit requirements for the majors after course exemption shall be stipulated by the major-offering academic unit.

Minor requirement course

If the minor requirement is less than 15 credit units after the exemption, take any other minor-related course specified by the minor-offering academic unit

Gateway Education (GE) University requirement course

Take any other GE course

Gateway Education (GE) Distributional requirement course

Take any other GE distributional area course

Application Procedures

Students who wish to apply for credit transfer or course exemption based on previous qualifications attained prior to admission to the University, must make an application before the start of the first semester of your admission. Current students who have completed studies at other institutions after admission to the University, must submit an application immediately in the semester following attainment of the additional qualification.

Application Period

Semester A

14 July 2017 to 2 September 2017

Semester B

11 December 2017 to 13 January 2018

(ONLY new students who are admitted in Semester B 2017/18 or current students who have completed studies at other institutions after admission to the University are allowed to submit the application in this period.)

Late applications will NOT be accepted.

Before submitting an application, make sure that your studies elsewhere are equivalent in level and content to the specific CityU course(s). Consult your Major Leader/Academic Advisor if you are in doubt.

Separate applications should be made for courses or qualifications completed at different institutions. Attach the official transcripts (or certified true copies) and other documentation in support of the application. Applications without relevant documents will not be considered. Supporting documents will not be returned to students.

To apply, obtain the application form online (available during application period only):

Complete the form, print it out, attach supporting documents and submit your application in person at the ARRO Service Centre, together with the original receipt of the required fees payment. Students of the Telford Annex should submit the application to the General Office of the Telford Annex.

Since student's application for credit transfer/course exemption has to be considered by academic units concerned, the processing time varies. We will inform you of the result via email as soon as possible.